Arlee is 3!

Arlee turned 3! I am so lucky to have her in my life. She teaches me so much all the time. She helps me realize my habits by doing and saying everything that I say. Sometimes I am proud and other times 'I have no idea where she got that from.' I have said this to a few people, but I would like to remind myself and others of it on here. If you want to realize your habits, just have a toddler. Man talk about an eye opener. Arlee isn't swearing or anything, but you will just have to spend some time around us both and you will understand perfectly.  Aside from being a parrot she is loving and caring to those around her. She absolutely loves her friends and family. Adores Lydia and is always helpful with her. She is a little mommy to her baby dolls. She has just started role playing by herself and is usually playing with up to three toys and doing voices for each one. It is pretty entertaining to witness. 

Usually it is someone going:

 aaaaaaaahhhhhh! 

OH NO! 

Are you okay?

I will save you. 

High-yah! 

Run away! 

Thank you for saving my life. 

MUAH! 

We kissed on the lips! -that is because we are married.

The last one came from Hans and I telling her that we don't kiss on the lips with her. You only kiss on the lips when we are married. I know that some people that read this kiss their little ones on the lips, but that isn't how  Hans and I grew up and I can't start it now. That would be weird for us. Anyway when she sees people kiss on the lips she will tell us: 'They kiss on the lips, because they are married.' She is a funny little girl.

 Arlee playing with her dishes.

 'Mom, I need help. My shirt is stuck.' I tried really hard to hold in the laughter and did a pretty good job, I think. Apparently, while she was up getting her toys she decided to change her shirt too. This is what it ended up like. She has changed her pants, but this was a first for her shirt. Maybe we need her to practice more?


For Arlee's birthday we gave her a few choices of where she wanted to go for her birthday. She chose Applebees She loves that place so much!

 Pretty dark, but you can tell we had a great time.

 I loved this picture in B&W. It is a memory that we will have forever. Especially since I brought my camera to capture the tale.

After dinner we went home, got the girls in bed and started Arlee's birthday cheesecake for her actual birthday. This year it ended up on a Sunday. Normally we have a family party for our birthdays, but we don't live by any. So we invited the Moon Family over to help us celebrate.

 We decided to make the cheesecake pink, because it is Arlee's favorite color. This is an Oreo Cheesecake. I have to say that Hans and I make an awesome cheesecake.
For dinner we had spaghetti- Arlee's favorite, Herb pull apart rolls- new recipe and will be using it again, salad, and pink jello salad-another Arlee favorite. We also had pink juice. Can you say PINK!!!! Did I mention it is her favorite color?

 Zoey and Arlee. Don't you just love the candle? I forgot to put them on my list. It works... maybe I will just use that candle every time.

After dinner and cake, we opened presents.

 Dumbo

 Pumba and she got Goofy, but I didn't add it to this post for some reason.

The Moons gave her chalk, and a device to put the chalk in so your hands don't get all dirty. I have to say that both Arlee and I love it. Used it the other day while it was nice and it kept us pretty clean. They also gave her nail polish. All those items Arlee loves.

Arlee's Birthday was a lot of fun and she even got up to bare her testimony... twice. Here is the story, there is a little boy that gets up and every time, Arlee feels that she needs to go up after. He must have a pretty strong testimony. Anyway, she'll ask me if it is her turn and I told her that if she wants to go up there she has to do it herself. I am not going to help her. So I thought that would work. Nope, she marched right up there and then looked at me and said, 'Mom can you come help me?' I just shook my head no. then she came back down and sat for a little. A few adults went up and then she asked me again, 'Mom, is it my turn now.?' I told her the same thing. Then she went up there and got up to the mic and froze. She wasn't really sure what she wanted to say. So by this time I was all sorts of hot and sweaty. My heart was pounding like mad and I walked up there to help her. I know what a push over... I just told her to tell them about Heavenly Father and Jesus. (Earlier that day she was talking to my mom and told her out of nowhere she says, Jesus walked on water. My mom asked if she was looking at her book and she told her no.  I was shocked she said it.) Sometimes she will tell me and Hans, 'Jesus got owiesArlee said, 'Heavenly Father, Name of Jesus Christ Amen.' She did say that Jesus walked on water, but it wasn't loud enough for people to hear.

She is my little girl and I love her so much. Hans and I are always impressed with her. We enjoy seeing her with Lydia and the great example she is already for her.

For Arlee to read in the future-

Arlee,
I love you so much. I am so happy that you chose me to be your mom. You are a highlight in my life. Thank you for being a great daughter and sister to Lydia. You are truly a child sent from Heavenly Father and I know that to be true. You are 3 years old now, but I can already see the person you are. You are strong-willed and completely adorable. You are independent and a confident little girl. Make sure that you are not led to make bad choices by anyone, but be the one to lead those around you to make good choices. Keep being your own person that I love.
Love you so much,
Mom.